Respect is a gesture of deep reverence, gratitude and gratefulness to the Creator. When we respect our fellow beings we are in fact respecting God himself because each of us is a part of God. Every culture has different gestures expressing respect and reverence for a deity or to human beings.
Respect is the acceptance of the other as they are. So respect should start from the heart and not to be an external show. If it is a show, then it becomes an imitation and pretence. Respect human beings- respect their individuality, respect their differences. And that is possible only if you respect your own individuality. Great people are respected anywhere without demand. Rich people are respected for their money power and influence. In our context people living in the lower strata are not respected. So they need to be respected and made comfortable. Being friendly and hospitable to such people always imprints a feeling in them that they too are part of the system and they are wanted in the society. Everyone likes to be respected and likes to get importance. It is the game of the ego.
One day a kind visited the Zen master. The Zen master did not even get up when he saw the King coming. The King felt very strange and surprised. However the King asked, “Which is higher, a worldly king, or the king of dharma? The Zen master replied, “Among human kings I am higher; among the kings of dharma I am also higher.” Hearing this surprising answer, the king was very pleased.
The next day a general came to visit the Zen master, who not only got up from his seat when he saw the general coming, but also showed him more hospitality in every way than he had shown to the king. After the general had left, one of the disciples asked him, “Why did you get up from your seat when a person of lower rank came to see you, yet you did not do so for one of the highest rank? The Zen master replied, “You don’t understand. When people of the highest rank come to see me, I do not get up from my seat; when they are medium quality, I do; but when they are of the lowest quality, I go outside of the gate to receive them.”
Sr (Dr) Lilly Thockanattu SJL
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